Change The World One Sequin At a Time: A Contemporary Fashion Design Art Curriculum

Overarching Theme of My Fashion Design Curriculum The intended idea of this curriculum is to teach art in a deeper more meaningful way, and help students understand that fashion is an expression of ourselves and our culture. Students will still learn art media, skills, and techniques as always. However, employing the visual culture arts education method (VCAE) will engage the students more, and empower them to make art in a way that is more similar to the way contemporary artists work in the real world. Students will discuss, interpret, and analyze art through the topic of fashion with an aesthetic and cultural perspective. By examining meanings, values and beliefs about fashion, the students will uncover essential truths about life and their own identity. The ultimate goal of this curriculum is to help produce an enlightened citizen who is multiculturally sensitive, socially responsible, and globally aware. In creating this curriculum I take the following quote literally, and hope it has the same impact on my students:

"And now I'm just trying to change the world one sequin at a time" Lady Gaga Goals that Drive the Curriculum Students will : 1. Understand the role and influence fashion and society/culture have on one another. 2. Examine and question personal and cultural values and beliefs regarding media, body image, gender, and sexualization and exploitation of teens. 3. Promote responsible care of the natural environment, ecological awareness, global concerns particularly in the fashion industry such as animal rights, human rights, fair trade, etc. 4. Appreciate the aesthetic contribution of world cultures to the subject of fashion. 5. Learn the power of imagery, and how to deconstruct and investigate images in media, to make informed choices as consumers and citizens. 6. Develop an understanding of how art can effect social and political change, and what motivates artists in their work.Important Human Themes Covered In This Curriculum

Exploring their own story

Body Image

Personal and cultural values

Multicultural understanding

Self-Inquiry

Personal Identity

Multiple points of view

Belonging and Acceptance

Consumption/consumerism

Sexism/feminism

Creativity

Self-Expression

Exploitation

Some Essential Questions This Curriculum Addresses 1. In what way do media (movies, television, magazines, advertising) influence fashion? 2. What are the purposes and reasons we wear the clothes we choose to wear? 3. How does our culture, community, and social group affect our fashion choices? 4. How is fashion perceived in various cultures around the globe? 5. What articles of clothing or wearable items are considered sacred? Why? 6. How are fashion and identity influenced by one another? How can I control if it is a positive or negative affect? 7. How does fashion affect the global community? How can we as consumers make a difference? How can I as an artist raise awareness to these issues? 8. How does daily life inspire artists?Some Student Illustrations from my Fashion Design Classsee next page

Silk scarves dyed by fashion design students

Silk scarves drying on the line after students painted with inks and dyes.